by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports

OWINGS MILLS, Md. â?? If the Baltimore Ravens can't keep Ray Lewis around as a coach, they'd like to immortalize him with a statue, team bosses said Thursday at Ravens headquarters.

The retiring linebacker has declined coach John Harbaugh's interest in retaining him as an assistant coach, Harbaugh told reporters in the team's season-ending press conference the week of a Super Bowl XLVII victory.

"He knows he's always welcome. He has not expressed an interest in coaching. I have asked him, but he's not interested," Harbaugh said. "Ray's iconic. He's going to be doing so many amazing powerful things. He's excited about those things."

While Lewis follows his son's new college football career at the University of Miami, and reportedly pursues a career in television, he'll be honored permanently in Baltimore, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. The franchise plans to erect a statue honoring Ray Lewis' 17-season, future Hall of Fame career outside M&T Bank Stadium sometime within the next year or so.

"I'll say absolutely maybe," Bisciotti said. "We have to work that out where and how long it takes. But yes, he sets himself apart in Baltimore sports history. And we certainly look into and I would not be surprised if there's one there in the next year or two."